The Aion Experience

Those who follow me on Twitter occasionally see me talking about “Miss S”, my daughter. A lot of things change when you have kids, I’m sure everyone’s aware of that. What I wasn’t expecting however, were the different ways I would view movie scenes, some commercials and even, in-game story lines. I mean, who would think that having a child would make you all weepy over something that’s in a game, ie something that’s not real?!

Now some players complain about how much quest text there is and that they just want to know the basics and move on. While I agree that in some points it feels like you do more reading/clicking through quest text than actually doing the quests themselves, some of the reads are totally worth it.

For Asmodians, there’s a quest that begins with Arekedil when you hit Altguard. He informs you that the first sound he can remember is the cry of the Daru in the Moslan Forest and that he was an abandoned child. Hunters found him wrapped in a blanket and brought him back to the village where he was raised by the Priest and he never worried about his real parents.

When he ascended, the priet gave him two gifts — a blanket and a necklace. The blanket of course, was the one he was found in. The necklace, was buried inside. Now, Arekedil can’t get the necklace out of his mind, especially as it was clearly valuable and he doesn’t understand someone who could afford such expensive jewlery could also abandon a child…

This is where your journey begins. You are asked to take the necklace and discover the identity of his parents. After stopping past a few people to begin with , you eventually end up in Pandaemoniu and find Annemari, who is shocked to see her necklace. She askes how you came in posession of it and you inform her that it belonged to a friends mother. Annemari informs you that you must be mistaked as she and her husband have no children. She had always thought the necklace to be stolen and declares that one of the boys parents must have been a thief.

Clearly the necklace means a lot to the boy, so she not only allowes him to keep it, but informs you that the necklace and a box she hands you were orginally a pair — that they belong together. She gives you both to return to Arekedil.

When you open the box, you find a letter inside…

The Letter

My dearest baby boy.

I pray to the Five that you are blessed with the strength and courage of your father and the cleverness and determination of your mother. If you are, you will survive the perils I have placed you in and you will grow to one day take the fine necklace I left with you and trace it back to me.

I’m writing you this letter so you will understand why I have to deny you when you confront me with the necklace and why we can never meet again, nor talk as mother and child.

You deserve to know about me and your father and why you had to grow up without us. This secret I have carried silently for decades.

I can only imagine the struggles of your childhood and how much you hate me for abandoning you. Perhaps you will forgive me after reading this letter, or perhaps you will hate me more after discovering the things I have done.

But understand I love you. I abandoned you to safe your life. Grief stabbed my heart when I left my baby in the Moslan Forest, but I had to tear myself away. The Five Shedim Lords would take care of you, I prayed.

I am the daughter of a high priest. Everyone thinks because we are well off, our lives are simple and easy. While I suffer no physical or financial hardship, the emotional toll on my life has been hard. My family arranged for my marriage into another family of priests when I was very young. For years I had duties to both my father and my betrothed. I carried out those public appearances being the person they need me to be and burying my own self deep inside.

My life was routine and regimented. While I attended countless banquets and lavish feasts, I was always shunted to the background. Even at those celebrating my father or fiance, I was not allowed to garner any more attention than a plate or a piece of furniture.

Your father, Jefaln, was born in Morheim. He had no Daeva nor nobility in his family. In Pandaemonium, no one really thinks much of a Daeva from humble beginnings, but Jefaln was a fighter of great renown. He distinguished himself for his skills in combat and his ability to lead large alliances in the Abyss.

Many nobles tried to ignore Jefaln. However, they eventually had to respect and promote him, as he kept winning and distinguishing himself in the war. My father and I first met Jefaln at a feast celebrating one of his many victories. As the dancing began, I sat to the side with my eyes downcast at the floor.

Then, Jefaln approached me. He gently put one finger under my chin and lifted my face until our eyes met. His broad smile was infectious. I couldn’t help but smile back. “This beautiful lady doesn’t seem to know how to enjoy herself. Let me show you.”

He took my hand and pulled me to my feet. Everyone seemed to be shocked while my father just looked angry. Jefaln was the hero of the feast, it would have been unseemly to reject him.

I expected the big burly warrior to be clumsy and rough, but he wasn’t — his touch was light and tender, his handing smooth and graceful. His hands were warm where they touched my skin. Dancing with him made my heart pound so hard I was sure he could hear it. He certainly only seemed to have eyes for me. Until that moment, I had realized how unappreciated I had felt — how my father and fiance had taken me for granted.

When the music ended and we bowed, Jefaln gently tucked a lock of my hair behind my ear and whispered, “I’ll wait under your window just to gaze upon your beauty once again.”

Upon arriving back home that night, my father burst into a rage. An insolent Daeva of humble origins dared to ask his engaged daughter to dance. While his rage was boiling over, I could think of only one thing: “I have to go open the window.”

It was hours before my father settled to sleep and I felt secure enough to approach the window. Jefaln was still standing under the window just as he had promised. As soon as I opened the window, he flew up to me. He took my hand and asked, “Do you trust me?” At my nod, he spread his wings and turned to fly off. His battle-strengthened wings were beautiful and I stood awe-struck until his gentle tug on my hand urged me on.

We flew very far and more than once Jefaln had to pause and wait for me. But he was never impatient about it. Eventually we arrived at the remove canopy of some grove. I could never find that grove again, even though I have tried on occasion.

Nothing untoward happened that first night. We sat in the tree-tops and talked all night. We talked about our parents, our childhood, our ascension. What touched me the most was his frankness about his worries and fears. As a Legion leader he couldn’t show his fear to his troops, but that didn’t make him immune to is. As we talked, he held my hand. And the more we talked, the more I liked him. I guess he felt the same as well.

I arrived back home just as the household was awakening. The lack of sleep should have exhausted me, but instead I felt exhilarated and more alive than I had since childhood.

We never planned our meetings. Every night I left my window open hoping to spend some time with Jefaln, and as his duty schedule allowed we would meet in the very latest hour of the night. To evade others’ eyes and ears, we’d fly off to a different location every time — a waterfall, an abandoned theater.

Over several weeks of meetings, our friendship blossomed and grew strong. He became my best friend. Some nights we’d talk non-stop. Some nights we’d sit silently all night long. Either way, we were happy being together.

I met each day joyful, energetic and full of life. Eager for the chance to see him each night. My family noticed a difference and learned I had a new friend, but didn’t know whom I had befriended. When I accidentally let it slip that my friend was a man, my father and fiance both flew into a rage. I was angry and obstinate — I wouldn’t give up an innocent friendship over unwarranted mistrust or jealousy.

More secretive and clever than ever, we continued meeting. One night Jefaln was deeply troubled. As I listened to him talk, he gently tucked a lock of hair behind my ear, like he had the first night on the dance floor. But this time, his hand lingered on my neck. He caressed my neck and shoulder and leaned in and kissed me. For the first time in my life I cursed my privileged life and obligations. But I didn’t resist. I kissed him back.

We awoke the next morning in each other’s arms. Other mornings like that followed. Our friendship had changed by neither of us regretted it. With my impending marriage and his work, we both knew and talked openly about how our relationship could not last forever, but I always hoped it would.

His duty sent him to the Abyss. Weeks went by without a word or meeting. I missed his touch and conversation terribly. I then I overheard tavern patrons talking of how Jefaln had died on the battlefield in the Abyss with no Obelisk to insure his own immortality. Upon hearing that he was killed, I became so distressed that I passed out.

In the midst of utter despair, I found myself pregnant with you. Upon confirming my pregnancy, I packed up a few clothes and all my money and left Pandaemonium. Knowing my father would not allow me to bear Jefaln’s baby, I had to run away to protect you. I could not let them find me. I had to keep on the move.

After travelling all across Asmodae, I finally gave birth to you in Altguard. Soon after, my father caught up with me there. To keep you a secret, I abandoned you in the forest before I was caught my by pursuers.

I believe my father somehow learned about my friendship with Jefaln and had something to do with his death in the Abyss. If he was capable of that, he is capable of destroying a small baby. Because my father might kill you, I have kept your existence secret, and so must you.

I left you the necklace in the hope you could find me some day and learn the truth. But that truth is fgor you alone. Nobody may learn the truth of our past.

I was hauled back to Pandaemonium in the end. Most people believed it was just wedding jitters.

Married now, I have returned to my old life — a puppet of society. My husband is a good man and doesn’t server the pain this truth would bring him. But my love goes with you. I still live in the hope of letting you know about me and your father.

For your own safety, I could not raise you but have always prayed that you would grow into a fine man and live happily.

Looking back at the regrets in my life, I don’t regret my time with Jefaln. I don’t regret the fruit of our love. I only wish I had secured you a safe home instead of leaving it to fate. In the end, all I could do was abandon you in the Moslan Forest.

I would never ask you to forgive me for this. But please, remember something for me.

Your father was a wonderful and respectable man who did much for Asmodae. He died without knowing about you.

You are his legacy to Asmodae.

If you’re Asmodian and you’ve hit your high teens, you’re most likely familiar with the quest that has you locate a book in the Library. I can’t remember the name of the exact quest, but it doesn’t tell you which book you need to find (psst it’s the one at the far end of the left balcony if you’re facing into the Library =p), and instead you are left to open any book you can find that’s sticking out or otherwise obviously different.

During my travels of opening EVERY other book instead of the right one first, I came across on titled Interesting Asmodae which, when opened, showed a really cool cut scene. Hubby mentioned that he never saw/found that book when he did the quest, so I decided to capture the cut scene and share it here for him and anyone else who might have missed it.

It also follows on with some text (the actual book) after the cut scene finishes:

*****

The Invasion is a pivotal moment in our history. After centuries of isolation following the Cataclysm, it was the first time the survival of any of the missing Five Empyrean Lords or their followers was confirmed.

The existence of the Elyos society on the opposite continent cast our experiences into shard relief. Comparing our lot with our soon-to-be enemies allowed us to appreciate our true strength.

The story of the invasion begins with Deltras and the Storm Legion.

Lead by Deltras, the Storm Legion was one of the most elite Legions in Elysea.

The prevailing opinion is that their mission was strictly a reconnaissance. They never intended to confront our forces, and certainly not Lord Zikel himself, which explains their lack of preparation for the event.

Had this incursion not been discovered, it seems likely that the larger Elyos force would have followed, perhaps achieving complete surprise. The capture of Deltras and his Legion was a fortunate event for the Asmodae.

Credit for detecting the invasion goes to a desert scout of Morgeim whose name has sadly been lost to history. Noticing movement in the terrain, he approached and was surprised to discover slender, milky-skinned warriors with neither manes nor sharp claws.

Seeing the Elyos for the first time, he was more curious than worried about them.

However, the Elysean language was incomprehensible, and when Deltras grew weary of the effort to communication, he ordered his Legion to dispatch the dutiful Asmodian Archon.

When the Archon resurrected at an Obelisk, he reported these vents to incredulous superiors. Shamefully, they were slow to act on his initial incident.

In the meantime Deltras and his men crossed the Salintus Desert, seeking the rift through which they had traveled to Asmodae so they could return with the information they had gathered.

However, their grace period was short-lived. When they reached the rift, Lord Zikel and his Shadow’s Guard Legion were waiting for them.

Lord Zikel was in a four tempter, as his scouts had never returned from the Abyss, and he saw reason to believe that the Elyos had intercepted them.

According to his attendance, Lord Zikel was so upset than even Lord Azphel hesitated to speak to him.

Archons advised Lord Zikel to kill the Elyos immediately, but he rejected this suggestion. He wanted answers.

They found common ground in an ancient Human tongue, and Zikel made an offer. He’d spare their lives if Deltras would confess his mission to spy on Asmodae, and deny his Empyrean Lord Nezekan.

Typical of the pride and self-absorbed Elyos, Deltras cursed this generous offer, dooming himself and his Legion.

True to his word, Lord Zikel vanished most of the Elyos where they stood. Some cowards killed themselves rather than face his fury.

From that moment forward, we have been at war.

*****

I’ve never been a huge lore follower in the past – my partner can attest to me having never read a single quest in WoW and simply looking for enough information on what exactly I had to kill/collect and how many. For some reason, I’m finding the Aion lore quite engaging and am enjoying it thoroughly. I think the cut scenes really help with that… it’s like picture books for those who don’t like a lot of reading lol.

Raising my Tailoring today while I loitered around the house too tired to do anything productive, I had a very strange reward from handing in a Work Order: A Silk Robe. At first I thought it was a piece of armor, until I moused over it and realised it was a quest-giving item.

A Robe Gone Astray
14,000 XP and 10,000 Kinah. Nice!

Apparently I can’t hand it in until level 25 as it requires going into the Abyss? Fantastic given I got the item on my level 17 Ranger lol – that said, she’s almost 18 due to work orders haha. 4 Bubbles to go!

I labeled this post with the ‘Part 1′ title because I’m hoping there will be a part 2, 3, possibly 4 and even maybe 5 where I can go, “oh WoW, 16 was good, but at level xx I got THIS ability which is totally awesome”. Worst case scenario is I come back with a part 2, tail between my legs admitting defeat once again. Either way, I can’t imagine there being only one post on the subject.

Of course, as my title gives away, I dinged level 16 on my Ranger last night. Yipee! It was a very exciting moment and all thanks goes to my pity party for carrying my sorry pathetic ass all the way. My “I can’t believe you’re already level 18″ Chanter husband slummed it back in the lowby areas to help me and, honestly, I would not have made it without him. I just don’t have enough patience to continue dying, or almost dying in order to level to the supposed fun times. My Ranger would have sat abandoned at level 15, only reaching that level due to 4 levels of the same pity party that mercilessly shoved me over the finishing line. But shove they did and last night I got to head back to my Scout trainer to find out just what was so great about that magical 1-6 level.

Boost Parry I A new ability that increases your parry rate. Good to know. Handy for all the times I can’t keep the mob at a distance…

Counterattack II An upgrade to Counterattack I that inflicts 160~187 physical damage upon  success Evasionion and comes with the odd chance to temporarily stun. Not really useful for me since I very rarely swap to melee weapons even at close range combat because it takes me longer to swap weapons than it does to just kill them with arrows. Can only assume that’s due to lag.

Soul Slash II An upgrade to version one, rank two inflicts 167~194 physical damage on the target and is step 2 in a chain after executing Swift Edge. Again, not really useful for me as it requires melee weapons. IF Aion would automatically switch to melee once the mob is close enough to kiss me, then I might be excited. Until then, no sorry.

Arrow Strike I A new ability that fires an arrow at a target within zero meters to inflict 229~256 physical damage. Finally, something to make me sit up and pay attention. Arrow Strike is step 2 in a chain after Swift Shot which I use in every fight. So basically this gives me a second lot of damage to deal with my arrows of doom! I can’t see one new ability being the ground breaking change that makes soloing super easy, but it’s a start.

Poisoning Trap I Last, but by no means least is a new trap that lasts for 60 sec, during which time it will explode and poison any enemy that comes within five meters of said trap. Nice. Of course it uses 1 Tripeed like my first trap that I rarely used – again, lag. By the time I laid the damn thing I could have just killed the mob. With one that assists damage however, I might lay it at my feet each time and it can help finish the mob off once it’s close and whacking away at me.

Of course, that means Arrows + Tripeed + Odella = an expensive class. How exactly am I meant to cover my trade skills as well?

Still, nothing huge there I could see that would be the difference everyone is telling me to hang out for. The only other difference was a new bow, which granted can make a big difference, but I got the impression from everyone I chatted to that it was something skill based that occurred, not just an upgraded weapon.

Nokir's Bow

And technically this is not related to level 16 at all, the bow is received at the end of the Fear This quest line. I just happened to obtain it at the same time as I dinged (just after), so factor it into any improved game play. That said, there were definitely improvements – noticeably so. I was able to take mobs down without nearly dying, and without waiting half an hour to finish it off. My auto attack is still @#$% up and aggravating me nearly every fight, but there’s nothing I can do about that until NCSoft get off their rear ends and fix it. But the additional arrow shot is certainly a noticeable difference in my damage.

Unfortunately I only got half an hour to test this afternoon, but I only died once in that time (green ribbet with their super poison zomg!) and all in all thoroughly enjoyed myself – the first time since dinging level 10 on Alexan… sweet. The biggest change I noticed was that I could solo!

I took some video footage to share that shows how much better I am doing after only just entering level 16…

Now, there are a few things to note.

1. ALL of those fights are without the Poison Trap. I didn’t have any Tripeed on my when I started, and some bright spark over in programming decided to have multiple tabs on NPC vendors and I didn’t even know I could buy some in Basfelt until I saw the tabs along the top. So all fights are without that added damage…
2. In the 3rd fight you might notice my auto-attack didn’t come on. That was not due to me not trying, I was mashing the crap out of my ‘c’ button to the point I thought I was going to break it. There is something really stuffed up with auto-attack for all classes, yet for some bizarre reason, Rangers cop it the worst apparently. Really @#$%ing frustrating – see, I don’t normally swear, that’s how annoying it is!
3. I have my Dodging I skill incorrectly in my rotation. Because it goes for 1 minute duration, I should be activating it before I even engage. For some sadistic reason, my brain got it in it’s head that I should use it during a fight, and of course no auto-attacks happen when you’re casting it, so that takes away my damage. Every fight as I watch that first arrow leave my bow, I mentally kick myself when I realise I haven’t clicked it. I will learn…While I’m on the topic of moving skills around, I also can’t decide if I should be moving Devotion I to the front of the line too. 5 seconds really isn’t long enough to be much use and so far I have been saving it to help boost my pathetic auto-attack damage. But I’m starting to wonder if I should move it to the front to increase the special abilites. That might help the mobs drop quicker before they actually get to me. Can any Rangers out there shed some light on that for me?
4. And lastly, you’ll notice I never switch to melee weapons. I can’t. The lag we have is bad enough that it makes it a pointless act. It takes at least 10 to 15 seconds to switch, and then again to switch back to bow. If I just stick with my bow and arrow I can kill the mob in the same time. This will of course affect my damage slightly and thus, other Rangers who have a better connection will do better.

Over all though, not too bad. The biggest factor for me was enjoyment – and enjoy myself I did. My little Ranger candle of love flickered and then came back to full strength. And, like a golfer that records his swing to analyse, the frustrations and now, mini triumph have allowed me to really analyse what was or wasn’t causing the problems and learn more about the class.

The next spell level is 19 (arg 3 level gaps) where I receive Devotion I to Accuracy by 200 for 1 minute and Stunning Shot I which I am really excited about. Stunning shot fires an arrow at a target within 20m of you to inflict random physical damage between 253 and 257. And as the name implys, the target becomes temporarily stunned. Sweet!

I’m too sure if you can call two people a group, but I was in one today. And I’m happy to report that it’s absolutely no different to any other MMO where you randomly group with who ever walks by – makes you want to practice typing with your face.

I was doing one of the “find Rae” quest lines, which really, should just be renamed to “where’s Rae” along the where’s Waldo lines as she’s never in the same spot twice and is usually buried amongst rabbits or mobs trying to kill her. I mean really, how can one girl get into so much trouble and still be alive?

Anyway, I was doing the step where you find her in the cave and you have to destroy the power generators and make the big orange portal explode. Which of course all happens without so much as a eyelid bat from the mobs not 10 feet away. Running past another player in there, I had the message pop up on my screen if I’d like to join a group.

I figured why not right? I’m in an enclosed area, with lots of mobs that I have slaughter through to get to the generators I need, and I had the funny feeling the ‘big bad guy’ with a different name to all the rest was going to also be a tad harder. Wouldn’t help to have some assistance…

Assistance. Let’s just pause and ponder that word for a moment. What does it mean to you? For me, it would generally mean help right? Attacking the same mob that I am? Waiting for your partner to be ready, and at least over half health before going and attacking another mob? Allowing you to finish destroying the generator before running off, agroing 3 mobs and then running around like you have a firecracker up your ass yelling for help?

I mean really. I join a group to help things progress quicker – not to babysit a player who can’t help but poke every mob he passes… going the wrong way!

I did learn however that there is the ‘dice roll’ system when it comes to loot in a group. Sadly I didn’t get a screenshot of it as the nincompoop I was grouped with couldn’t sit still and I wasn’t able to properly pay attention. Which brings me to my other annoyance with him. We had two changes to roll for loot – the first one was a spell book which I passed to him (oh yeah, you have roll or pass) as he was a caster. The second was a pair of leather boots, ie the kind of leather I like against my cold dark skin, and not only does he roll, but he wins and says “oh, did you need those” then RUNS AWAY!! That bastard picked up the boots, dangled them in my face and then took off.

For more information on group looting, I found this helpful page: Group Looting. Basically looks the same as WoW…

The original Everquest never really had ‘quests’ per say when I was playing. The play was more sandbox style, more open ended. You decided what you wanted to kill, where you wanted to kill and for how long you wanted to kill. That type of experience gain certainly had it’s pros in that you didn’t have to do a whole lot of running around, and if you were lucky enough to get one of the good spots in the zone you were currently at the right level for, you could spend ages there making mountains of experience and plat (gold).

Of course there was then the matching con that if you didn’t get into one of those few lucky spots, you were left to pick up the dregs and make do with what ever you could fight off from other nearby groups scrounging for the same lackluster mob numbers. Or worse – you didn’t even get into those groups and instead spent your time sitting at what ever safe spot or zone entrance applicable, constantly spamming the zone that you were in fact looking for either group category. Basically you begged for someone to give you something to do.

Oh yes and there was no solo playing unless you were either a Bard or Druid. Everything was group based.

EQ did have quests, but they were for a specific purpose, usually your class item. They were also long, painful chains that were only completed until the first few expansions were released making the reason for the torture obsolete as the first drop in the first zone by a wanna be boss had better stats so why would you waist your time? So yeah… no real questing.

Moving from EQ to WoW, and into the quest based leveling system, it was like stepping into the future. Here you were not only handed quest objectives the moment you logged in… quests were everywhere! And they gave you experience, coin and omg armor upgrades! The 1st generation MMO players that popped their cherry with WoW really don’t know how easy they have it.

And of course, if you have an IQ over 10, you are able to garner everything you need from the quest text and very rarely do you need to rely on the many database websites available to you that give you even more information, usually accompanied by screenshots. And of course if you still can’t figure it out from all that, there are the hundreds upon hundreds of user submitted comments giving you locations, specific instructions (behind the 3rd rock closest to the big yellow ball) and even more detail.

If that still isn’t enough, then you have the option of installing 3rd party mods that give you in game directions complete with little directional arrows telling you that you are going the right way. I’m surprised there isn’t a big flashing “WRONG WAY” sign that invaded your screen space if you weren’t… then again, I probably wouldn’t be surprised if I get told there is.

My point? Questing in WoW is easy, gives you all the experience you could need and comes with the bonuses of coin and loot. Nice.

Now, I move from WoW to Aion and just when I thought they couldn’t make it any easier, I am proven wrong. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE what they have done and I think it’s awesome!! I’ve already commented that you can click the names of NPC’s, Mobs or locations involved in that quest to not only see more info, but to also see a marked map location of their whereabouts. That’s just too cool.

But now, Aion takes it one step cooler by giving you choices!! Check this out:

Of course all quests in WoW give you the option of accepting or telling the NPC to bugger off, you could just close the window. But here, Aion gives you the option to accept or actually inform them that you’re too busy. It really is the polite thing to do. Naturally being busy doesn’t grant you any XP lol, but is still kind of cool.

This particular quest actually had me feeling a bit sorry for the guy involved. Anyone on the Asmodian side might recognise this quest – for the Elyos among us, basically you’re told that there’s a guy who doesn’t do any work unless you yell at him. By the time you get to him (a few quest steps), and yell at him, you discover that the reason he’s not meeting his quota is because the mobs are taking all his sap lol. The poor bastard also comments about how he’s being yelled at constantly now haha – because of all the new questers being told to go out and yell. LOL I really did feel for him.

So, being the kind person that I am, I agree to help. Doing so, I get yet another choice – and this one is more than just an accept or abandon option.

This kinda threw me for a moment. What if one of the mobs was the wrong one? This wasn’t as obvious a choice as the last one… I could actually get it wrong. I ended up choosing the Sylphen because it sounded like siphon and he was talking about something taking all his sap. In the end I don’t think it mattered which one you chose as the quest giver doesn’t appear to know either and just says that what ever you chose sounds about right.

Another quest choice that I liked was one of the first ones I did. It’s around the lake I screen-shotted earlier, and involves a fisherman who has a thing for the girl on the dock. You run around getting flowers so he can give them to her, only, he’s too chicken to actually hand them over. You then get the choice to help him out one more time, or tell him to man up.

Being the nice raider that I am, again lol, I opted to help him out. Later on I chose the man up option on another character and I was disappointed to find out that it doesn’t actually lead anywhere. I thought that perhaps it was like those books where you chose the direction of the story as you went? But sadly no. Telling him to man up just has him agree and then you still go through the process to eventually help him because he just can’t do it.

A lesson to all men out there – man up! Do it yourself! lol, chicks don’t dig cowards…

The last feature I noticed about the Aion quests, and one that really helps me, is when you speak to an NPC involved in a quest, the text informs you of a new quest you haven’t yet accepted, and a quest you are currently in the progress of completing.

In WoW of course, you didn’t have this feature. And it was always a minor annoyance when you had the option of two because I inevitable always chose the wrong one lol. Here, I don’t have that problem! I realise it’s only a small thing, but it’s still pretty cool and yet another step forward in the online MMO questing experience.

All in all, I’m seeing lots I really like in Aion and I can’t wait to see more!

Although my subconscious must have a clock in view somewhere and I did in fact wake at 5am this morning, I had no plans to leave the warmth and comfort of my bed to jump onto Aion straight away. I also figured there’d likely be either a queue, or server issues as expected with a game launch, and wasn’t about to get out of bed just to sit and stare at my computer.

But I’m up now, and I’m online!! Wahoo!!

Click to enlarge

I considered making my daughter some toast, and me some breakfast before I did anything. To just leave my Alexan standing there breathing in the fresh air she’s waited so long to breath. But then my daughter asked for cheese which she can eat on my lap and I noticed the first quest giver was just centimeters away lol. Since she was happy and eating, I figured why not just do the first quest right?

Finding your feet in a fresh MMORPG is always interesting, but when you’ve not even logged into your previous MMO (WoW) in a few months, it’s even more fun. Although I had the basics of moving, I couldn’t figure out how to open my inventory, locate my quest journal and for the first time since the beta of World of Warcraft, I paid attention to the in game tutorials lol.

Once I found the menu button and noticed the hot key letters beside each of the functions, I was pretty much good to go. Until 5 seconds passed and I forgot which was which.

Thankfully, the questing side of things really makes it easy! When you speak to the quest guy (right click works just fine, yay), not only does he tell you where to go – ie down the road, etc – but you can click on the NPC names of others involved and you get a second window pop up giving you info:

Click to enlarge

And if that wasn’t easy enough, if you click on the locate button within that second window, you get a map!!

Click to enlarge

So really, there should be absolutely no need to read “where do I find so and so” in chat. Of course there is, every 3 bloody seconds!! Just as there is the “press Alt + F4 to equip an item/find the quest/kill a mob/make a naked girl appear”. I can’t believe people still think that works, or worse, that it does!

On top of that, there is the already annoying for 1k spam. /sigh I hate people sometimes. Then I remembered it’s the first main day of the school holidays here in Australia and the game is likely to be flooded with the annoying cretins I try very hard not to swerve and run over in my car at 3:30pm each day.

But still, I’m in, and I’m loving it so far. As of this posting, I’ve completed my first real quest to kill 4 beasts and dinged level 2. I really hope leveling isn’t going to be that easy!! For memory the first quest in WoW also dings you to level 2 (remembering the Undead ones at least) so I’m not too worried for yet. I’m just in no rush to reach level 50 and want to enjoy the ride.

For now though, I’ve logged out and will make some breakfast…